The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-24
A TRUE AMERICAN.
BY CORA LINN DANIELS.

l had a long conversation with General Charles L. Williams, so many years on Governors island and so prominent during the late unpleasant ness.
 Although a native of Louisiana, his loyalty to the Union is well known. We began the chat by speaking of the old Knickerbocker families of New York, and making our mutual con- ments on the results of excessive ex- clusiveness to the families themselves, agreeing that narrow -mindedness, prejudice and selfishness follow the withdrawal of man from his kind. Society is necessary to brighten even the most cultivated intellect He mentioned some very old families in Washington who disdain congressman, only tolerate senators and are cordial to only the president and his lady, and they must be of "the right kind"
 An instance of the difference be- tween the spontaneous response of the truly great man and the niggardly hesitation in one who has never made a wonderful reputation was given.
 ''l was commissioned by direct or ders from President Lincoln to buy for the government $l 100000 worth of provisions and other necessaries, and having all the papers prepared with all the proper signatures needed one name for cashing drafts, so l went to the residence of the would be aris- tocrat for his name. It was matter of formality, for had the whole gov ernment to back me, but my lordly sir said pompously, I will consider it 7 No, you will not consider it, said l. rolling up the parchment, the honor of signing this document shall be given elsewhere l went to George Peabody, and without the hesitation of an instant exclaimed, Certainly, I will.' and in moment had written his grand signature where it would stand as record of his patriotism. knew Abraham Lincoln we'll, perhaps better than almost any one. He used to walk across Lafayette square very often of an evening and come into my parlor, would sit down, or lie down, so worn out and exhausted that ire quently he fell into doze and had refreshing nap of half an hour. In the course of eighteen months he came to us 260 times, and every time his honored and beloved face appeared it was as if the beniZen of God had fallen upon our house. hold. One evening he came in. exclaiming to Mrs. Williams, q am almost distracted, almost mad with the headache.' Sit right down, MT. President said she. No; I wish to lie down. She drew comfortable lounge into the middle of the floor, and plunging her hands into aromatic ammonia gently soothed the forehead of the poor, tired president until he fell into sleep as deep and sweet as child. But even in his sleep weighty affairs chased through his burdened brain. He soon awoke with start, exclaiming, No, Stanton, nop The inner life of this great man was pa- thetic in the extreme. His enemies even in his own household, his foes surrounded him night and day. When his little boy lay at the point of death I was in Baltimore. The president wrote despatch for me to come instantly. He gave it to Mrs. Lincoln, telling her to have it sent without the delay of a moment. He hoped l might be able to do some- thing tor his son. But that despatch was not started on its errand for three hours-three hours-and it came too late! Perhaps I might not have been able to help him-but I could have tried. The boy was treated for malig- nant typhoid fever. His disease was scarlet fever.
 "Then came a point we'll known to all lovers of their country's history.
 When crisis had come-something definite must be done. felt that the only thing lett was strong measure. A secret cipher despatch had come into my possession. It notified lief ferson Davis that if he would free slaves, England would recognize the Confectionery. said to President Lincoln:
 "'Mr. Lincoln, there is certainly but one move to make now-one thing to do.'
 "'What is that? asked he.
 "It is to issue proclamation of emancipation for all the slaves.'
 "'That is true. Write out draft of it.
 "I did so. It was sent to Andrew Curtin. governor of Pennsylvania. He convened meeting of twenty two governors. Approved by them the proclamation was made, the deed &C., complished. I owned four thousand eight hundred slaves. I was the largest slave owner in the world. But